I’ll Let You Go When I’m Ready

A Poem

Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

i know the endgame —
you don’t have to tell me
because it’s been like this before
and i recognize all the signs

just because something
flourished inside me
doesn’t mean the same
would ever happen to you

just because i looked at you
and felt the match flare to life
doesn’t mean one sorry thing
to someone like you

but i’ve made my peace,
it’s just another matter
of letting go in time,
and i’ll move on

do forgive me, though,
if i linger just a bit
and stay on standby
as my heart resets

i’ve been here before,
i know the costs,
yet i can’t help thinking
you have such a kind smile

i’ve been here before,
i see the outcome,
but it’s so much easier
to sigh than to turn away